tank for clowns & rainbows

MyraVan · 08-05-2005, 03:58 AM

I'm just in the dreaming stages now. We're going to be moving house in a few weeks, and the new house will need some work on it. But after all the work is done (sometime next year) I'd like to get a nice BIG tank. Well, big for me, since the biggest one I have now is 20 gallons. But I really know very little about big tanks, so I will be asking you all to help me out.

First question is about stocking. I'd like to have:
3 to 6 clown loaches
6 Boesman's rainbowfish
1 bristlenose pleco
12 or so small pretty fish, perhaps harlequin rasboras

Will all these things get along? Will they all live happily ina fairly alkaline tank (pH 7.8, that's what we get from the hard water we have here)? Is there anything else that you think that this tank really needs (something that goes especailly well with clowns or rainbows)?

Second, how big a tank would I need to house all these fish, when fully grown?

maxpayne_lhp · 08-05-2005, 04:07 AM

Well all of them don't really require a very large tank. But as your wish for a big (and peaceful tank, I guess) a 75 or 100 gal sounds pretty good. Cause still, the fish won't overstock so I think heavy planting can be carried out

About far future, the clown loaches will grow dominantly large. But I think it's not a really big deal cause it takes such a long time for that.
About 12 small fish. Do you thik of some peaceful tetras?

And some loaches to attract your daughter too

Kids usually love loaches (except the hillstream's impression you told me

)

Quote:

Is there anything else that you think that this tank really needs (something that goes especailly well with clowns or rainbows)?

Provide some hiding places for your clowns and also some playing space (open water space) They'll be happy.

MyraVan · 08-05-2005, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxpayne_lhp

About far future, the clown loaches will grow dominantly large. But I think it's not a really big deal cause it takes such a long time for that.
About 12 small fish. Do you thik of some peaceful tetras? ...And some loaches to attract your daughter too...

I wanted the tank to be big enough, and the tank inhabitants to be compatible with, full grown clown loaches. Would a 75g hold all this stuff, even with big adult loaches?

As far as tetras, I think I will put some neon tetras in my 10g (along with the apple snails) after the move, and they are the most colorful ones. I like the look of the rasboras, so I thought of those first for the big tank, but I'm open to suggestions. Which tetras would you recommend?

And which loaches (in addition to the clownies)?

For hiding places, the tank will have lots of plants, so they'll be able to hide in the foliage, and probably a good assortment of bogwood too.

fishfreaks · 08-05-2005, 05:14 AM

i dont think 75 gallons is enough for 3-6 clowns, they are schooling fish and they do get big. if it was me id go with probably atleast 15 if i wanted to keep them for years. JMO. you could have kuli (sp?) loaches i believe, but they do like sand

SumthinFishy · 08-05-2005, 05:28 AM

Clowns and Rainbows make excellent tank mates. I'm not so sure I would go with something as small as Rasboras though. Congo Tetra's would be beautiful and fit right in with the others. As for the Clowns, the more the merrier (for them). I would go with the six. Planted would be nice but also go with the wood you mentioned or build hidey holes out of rocks for the Clowns. They like secure crevices to hide in. As for the size of tank I would go with a 75 at minimum. The Boesmanis will grow to the size of the palm of your hand relatively quick. I've had 10 Clowns in a 120 for 5 years now and the smallest is probably 6 inches from the tip of it's snout to the tip of its tail. Keep that in mind when you decide on the tank. Clowns can get rather active and do need space to move around in.

Happy Planning!!

maxpayne_lhp · 08-05-2005, 05:38 AM

fishfreaks, I think that it's only the matter of size when they grow up. For couple of first years, I don't think she'll have any trouble. They yeah, do need space to swim, so I think 75gal+ is good.

Quote:

And which loaches (in addition to the clownies)?

Kuhli can be good, they school and hide around over/under the subtrate,don't really need large space. Weather Loaches are really cool too. Zebra, Yo yo's patterns are really breath-taking!

fishfreaks · 08-05-2005, 06:37 AM

yeah you are right max, thats why i said i would go with the bigger JMO

MyraVan · 08-05-2005, 07:20 AM

OK, so here is the revised plan:

6 clown loaches
6-8 Boesman's rainbowfish
1 bristlenose pleco
12 congo tetras

in a 120g tank.

My gosh that's big! Will we have enough money after the building work to afford this?

Well, if we can't maybe I'll replace the clown loaches with something else (maybe yo-yo loaches) and get a much smaller tank. What size tank would we need for:

6 yo-yo loaches
6 Boesman's rainbowfish
1 bristlenose pleco
12 small to medium tetras

MyraVan · 08-05-2005, 10:08 AM

Hmmm. I've begun to think about how I could afford a 120 gallon tank. I've also been thinking about sizes. The All-glass website lists the standard sizes for tanks. There are the following:
120 Gallon 48x24x24
125 Gallon 72x18x22

I guess the first one would be better for clown loaches so they'd have plenty of space to turn around in the tank?

fishfreaks · 08-05-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyraVan

Hmmm. I've begun to think about how I could afford a 120 gallon tank. I've also been thinking about sizes. The All-glass website lists the standard sizes for tanks. There are the following:
120 Gallon 48x24x24
125 Gallon 72x18x22

I guess the first one would be better for clown loaches so they'd have plenty of space to turn around in the tank?

yeah thats what i was thinking too. you still have the option to replace the clowns if you cant afford it. (thats my dream tank, lots of clowns, lol)

MyraVan · 08-05-2005, 02:30 PM

Hmmmm again. I just threw my idea of a REALLY BIG TANK at hubby, reassuring him that it would only happen after all the remodelling is done on the new house. He likes the idea, to my surpise, but says "Can we have angelfish?"

Are angelfish compatible with these fish (clown loaches, Boesman's rainbowfish, bristlenose pleco, congo tetras)? If not, can some (hopefully not the clowns) be omitted from the list to make a happy tank? I think I'm more likely to get active approval (rather than just tolerance) from the other half if I find a place for the angelfish.

maxpayne_lhp · 08-05-2005, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Are angelfish compatible with these fish (clown loaches, Boesman's rainbowfish, bristlenose pleco, congo tetras)? If not, can some (hopefully not the clowns) be omitted from the list to make a happy tank? I think I'm more likely to get active approval (rather than just tolerance) from the other half if I find a place for the angelfish.

No clowns always make you happy

Well angel fish? Ok... I see nothing bad about it. The angels won't get really active... if you want a happy, active tank then I won't suggest angels. they do look good but...

fishfreaks · 08-05-2005, 07:41 PM

that sounds like a good setup to me, the boesamis wont pick, maybe just to each other so i would watch the m/f ratio.

08-05-2005, 03:58 AM	#1
MyraVan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 864	tank for clowns & rainbows I'm just in the dreaming stages now. We're going to be moving house in a few weeks, and the new house will need some work on it. But after all the work is done (sometime next year) I'd like to get a nice BIG tank. Well, big for me, since the biggest one I have now is 20 gallons. But I really know very little about big tanks, so I will be asking you all to help me out. First question is about stocking. I'd like to have: 3 to 6 clown loaches 6 Boesman's rainbowfish 1 bristlenose pleco 12 or so small pretty fish, perhaps harlequin rasboras Will all these things get along? Will they all live happily ina fairly alkaline tank (pH 7.8, that's what we get from the hard water we have here)? Is there anything else that you think that this tank really needs (something that goes especailly well with clowns or rainbows)? Second, how big a tank would I need to house all these fish, when fully grown?

08-05-2005, 05:14 AM	#4
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303	i dont think 75 gallons is enough for 3-6 clowns, they are schooling fish and they do get big. if it was me id go with probably atleast 15 if i wanted to keep them for years. JMO. you could have kuli (sp?) loaches i believe, but they do like sand __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

08-05-2005, 06:37 AM	#7
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303	yeah you are right max, thats why i said i would go with the bigger JMO __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

08-05-2005, 07:41 PM	#13
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303	that sounds like a good setup to me, the boesamis wont pick, maybe just to each other so i would watch the m/f ratio. __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

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08-05-2005, 05:28 AM	#5
SumthinFishy Fish Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Ohio, USA Age: 50 Posts: 9	Clowns and Rainbows make excellent tank mates. I'm not so sure I would go with something as small as Rasboras though. Congo Tetra's would be beautiful and fit right in with the others. As for the Clowns, the more the merrier (for them). I would go with the six. Planted would be nice but also go with the wood you mentioned or build hidey holes out of rocks for the Clowns. They like secure crevices to hide in. As for the size of tank I would go with a 75 at minimum. The Boesmanis will grow to the size of the palm of your hand relatively quick. I've had 10 Clowns in a 120 for 5 years now and the smallest is probably 6 inches from the tip of it's snout to the tip of its tail. Keep that in mind when you decide on the tank. Clowns can get rather active and do need space to move around in. Happy Planning!!

08-05-2005, 07:20 AM	#8
MyraVan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 864	OK, so here is the revised plan: 6 clown loaches 6-8 Boesman's rainbowfish 1 bristlenose pleco 12 congo tetras in a 120g tank. My gosh that's big! Will we have enough money after the building work to afford this? Well, if we can't maybe I'll replace the clown loaches with something else (maybe yo-yo loaches) and get a much smaller tank. What size tank would we need for: 6 yo-yo loaches 6 Boesman's rainbowfish 1 bristlenose pleco 12 small to medium tetras

08-05-2005, 10:08 AM	#9
MyraVan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 864	Hmmm. I've begun to think about how I could afford a 120 gallon tank. I've also been thinking about sizes. The All-glass website lists the standard sizes for tanks. There are the following: 120 Gallon 48x24x24 125 Gallon 72x18x22 I guess the first one would be better for clown loaches so they'd have plenty of space to turn around in the tank?

08-05-2005, 02:30 PM	#11
MyraVan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 864	Hmmmm again. I just threw my idea of a REALLY BIG TANK at hubby, reassuring him that it would only happen after all the remodelling is done on the new house. He likes the idea, to my surpise, but says "Can we have angelfish?" Are angelfish compatible with these fish (clown loaches, Boesman's rainbowfish, bristlenose pleco, congo tetras)? If not, can some (hopefully not the clowns) be omitted from the list to make a happy tank? I think I'm more likely to get active approval (rather than just tolerance) from the other half if I find a place for the angelfish.

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